March 17.2004
Jîortlanô (©bseruer
Page A3
Gay Marriages Upheld
County won’t back down on equality issue
(API — Until a judge rules otherwise,
gay couples can continue applying for
marriage licenses in Portland.
Despite a plea to halt the practice from
Gov. Ted Kulongoski and a nonbinding
opinion by Oregon Attorney General Hardy
Myers that gay marriage is illegal under
current state law but likely violates the
state constitution, Multnomah County
Commissioners announced Monday they
will keep issuing licenses to same-sex
couples.
Meanwhile, Benton became the sec
ond Oregon county to grant marriage li
censes to same-sex couples, after the three
commissioners surveyed approximately
50 people, most of whom said they believe
ner Gary Hughes.
“Thank you Portland,” yelled Gary Jeroy
ot Bloomfield, Mich., who was with his
partner of 31 years, Tony Clemente.
“W e’re legal. W e’re getting married.
My knees are shaking,” Jeroy said.
Portland is now the only major city in
the U.S. that is issuing marriage licenses to
gay couples.
The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial
Court has ruled that gay marriages are
constitutional, but they will not be al
lowed before May 17 in that state. The
California Supreme Court also has taken
up the issue, but same-sex weddings in
San Francisco have been halted for at least
a tew months while a ruling is pending.
A student walks past the construction of a new Technical Education Building in the center o f the PCC Cascade
campus that borders North Killingsworth Street. The construction is part o f $57 million in campus project. Eventu
ally five new buildings on the campus will expand student services, increase access to adult learning programs
and add instruction in workforce development skills.
College
Expansion
Takes
Shape
A firefighter training tower is built at the front o f a new Public Services
Education building on the western edge of an expanded PCC Cascade
campus in north Portland. The construction is a remodel o f the former
Renaissance Market on North Killingsworth Street.
photo C ourtesy B onnie T inker /L ove
the licenses were a constitutional right.
Benton County Commissioners ap
proved issuing marriage licenses to same-
sex couples. 2-1.
“Multnomah County will continue to
issue marriage licenses to all couples,
consistent with the Oregon Constitution,
until such time as the Supreme Court of
Oregon or the citizens of Oregon dictate
another course o f action," the county
commissioners said in a written statement.
Couples waiting outside a county of
fice building toapply for marriage licenses
cheered, kissed and embraced after learn
ing the commission ’ s deci sion. Some came
from as faraway as Hawaii to get married.
“I’m so excited. I’m so happy,” said
John Bergmann, who traveled to Portland
from Sacramento, Calif., to marry his part-
PCC Cascade
campus grows
south, west
and center
photos by M ark W ashington /
T he P ortland O bserver
Brickwork is added to the
new Physical Education
Building at PCC Cascade
on the south side of
North Killingsworth
across from the main
campus. The building is
scheduled to open this
summer.
(Cije ^Iortlanh QDbseruer
African A m ericans are now the second fastest-grow ing group online and the
num ber o f top online destinations for A frican-A m ericans has grown. Each o f the
follow ing sites rank in top 2 percent o f all web sites visited:
Black News & Issues, BlackAmericaWeh.com, Africana.com, BlackNews.com,
BlackEnterprises.com. Essence.com, FinalCall.com
Leisure/Networking/Search Engines: BlackPlanet.com, OHHLA.com, HBCU-
Central.com, EverythingBlack.com, BlackWehPortal.com. BlackWorld.com
Hip H ip/ Entertainment News: BET.com, BlackVoices.com, SOHH.com,
AIIHipHop.com, UrhanKind.com, EURweb.com, Vihe.com, TheSource.com
Fjvorle»
■* ’
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Multnomah County Chairwoman Diane
Linn announced March 3 that a legal re
view by the county and an independent
law firm had concluded that rejecting mar
riage license applications from gays and
lesbians violated the Oregon Constitu
tion.
An immediatechallenge was organized
by the hastily formed Defense of Marriage
Coalition led by Multnomah County Re
publican Party Chairman Tim Nashif and
represented by Kelly Clark, an attorney
and former Republican state lawmaker.
Clark called the decision Monday “aw
fully foolish and awfully arrogant.”
Myers, in the opinion he released last
Friday, noted there was nothing in the
Oregon Constitution to prevent gay mar
riage.
Online Destinations Grow
3 http A*www.poitlanctobwei ver .com '
Mew
M akes a F amily
Abbie Haywood (left) and Jamie Bolyard, the first same-sex couple to ex
change vows in a legal marriage ceremony in Oregon, appear on the steps of
the Multnomah County Building on March 3. Rev. Glenna Shepherd, pastor of
the Metropolitan Community Church, performed the ceremony.
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On
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Juna 19, 2002
index
Top S to llo .
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Adame High Await« Wracking Ball
Metro
The Portland School Distnct has proclaimed that
there will be a new Whitaker Middle School to
replace the empty and former Adams High School
at 5700 N E. 39th Ave Of course the new building
will look very different and will bnng new housing
with it — something that makes nearby existing
neighbors a little nervous.
sports
Focos
Health
As it quickly becomes more and more an electronic
world, The Portland Observer endeavors to meet the
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Police/Vanrouver
Reliqlon
Observador
General News
needs o f our readers and advertisers by going online.
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reach more people with banner ads call 503 288 0033
With the capability o f the Internet, the Portland
Keeping a Close Eye On Crime
Despite program cuts and budget shortfalls, returning Northeast
Police Precinct Commander Bruce Prunk iß positive the
Observer now reaches a broader audience, and thus
community he calls home will continue to make stndes
sets your business in front o f a new generation.
•W
Spraying Makes Progr.s* In Mosquito Fight
Take a sigh of relief Multnomah County health officials are
reporting success in the fight to nd your backyard of
mosquitoes
03 w IjJrirtlatti) (l^bseruer
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